Vacheron Constantin - 86222/000G-9685

Metiers d'Art Les Univers Infinis Fish

Case

Dial

Description

Launched at SIHH 2012, the 'Les Univers Infinis' represented a new addition to the Metiers d'Art series, inspired by the work of the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher. The watches in this collection represent an exceptional alliance between the artistic crafts cultivated by the Manufacture Vacheron Constantin: engraving, enamelling, gemsetting and guilloche work.

Subtly graded shades of blue and grey form a shoal of intertwining fish. Born from an association between guilloche work and cloisonne enamelling, this ?Metiers d'Art C Les Univers Infinis? watch is inspired by a work by Maurits Cornelis Escher.

The pattern is cut out from a white gold dial base and the eyes of the fish are meticulously engraved. The guillocheur then forms tenth of a millimetre symmetrical motifs, while displaying extreme dexterity and genuine artistic sensitivity. Parallel curves accentuate the head, tail and fins, while the body of the fish is covered with shiny scales.

The enameller marks out the outline of the motifs using a fine gold wire to separate the various enamel colours, a process known as cloisonne enamelling. The enamel is finally placed in each fish and fired in an oven at a very high temperature, an operation that the artisan will repeat several times in order to intensify the colour. The last firing is followed by a lapping/polishing operation designed to position the partition wires on the same level as the enamelling, and glazing C meaning applying a layer of varnish C that give the dial a radiant glow.

Movement

Automatic movement with center seconds, minutes and hours, developed and crafted in-house by Vacheron Constantin. Oscillating at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this self-winding calibre equipped with a 22-carat gold oscillating weight ensures an approximately 40-hour power reserve. In line with the grand tradition of calibres from the Manufacture, the bridges are manually cut out and bevelled, the sides are hand-drawn with file strokes and each screw is meticulously polished.

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